RESIDENTS and businesses shocked by the recent flooding in Warrington have come together to raise more than £15,000 in just a few days.

Warrington Business Awards set up a JustGiving page last week as a platform for people to donate to victims of the floods caused by Storm Christoph.

Horrified by images of families having to be be evacuated from their water-damaged homes in Warrington, Danny Hudson felt 'compelled' to take action.

Danny, from Watsons Solicitors and member of the Warrington Business Awards committee, explained how members came together to quickly create a fundraising page - which even caught the attention of Eddie Stobart with a generous £7,500 donation.

"We decided to set it up under Warrington Business Awards because it's got a neutral nature and was representative of Warrington businesses as a whole," he added.

"Then it just exploded.

"But this fund is actually a reflection of the up-swell of feeling that people wanted to help.

"All we have done is give people a platform to do that, a platform to get it out there quickly."

Danny explained how more than 200 people have since donated, including donations early on by Pod Property Group and iSupply, which helped the cause gain traction.

The committee then contacted various schools, organisations and charities to start searching for the right place to donate the money.

"We needed to ensure that wherever this money was going, it was a registered charity," Danny explained.

"We wanted people to feel confident that it would be used well.

"There were lots of different charities which we spoke to which said to speak to Care UK."

The charity, which has a retail location in Cockhedge Shopping Centre, was originally set up to help refugees, but has since adapted to help various individuals within the Warrington community - 'helping people in their time of need'.

It will receive £10,000 from the Warrington Business Awards JustGiving page, has already been instrumental in helping flood victims.

"All we could do is try and identify a charity which was best placed to help and has an already established footprint," Danny said.

The remainder of the fund, and future donations, will be allocated in due course.

Nora, from Care UK, said: "We are supporting Amanda King and Beth Trainer.

"We have sent lots of food parcels and hygiene products to the Village Hotel, then we've also sent three car loads of cleaning products to the two hub locations.

"Our next phase is to use funds for items that are specifically needed and Danny's funds will be used for longer term products like white goods.

"We will be extremely respectful and make sure that the money will make a difference and get people back on their feet - 100 per cent will go to the people who need it."

Eddie Stobart also generously donated £7,500 to Warrington Business Awards' cause.

David Pickering, chief operating officer for the company, said: "As a big employer in Warrington, we’ve seen first-hand the devastation these floods have had on the community.

"Our site at Hawleys Lane was also badly affected and we felt compelled to support those in the area.

"It’s times like this, where we all need to pull together to show unity and help where we can."

Visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/warrington-businesses-flood-appeal.